How Do You Know If Your Audi Brake Rotors Need To Be Replaced?

Most front Audi brake pads have wear sensors built right into the brake pad material. If you see the Audi brake warning light illuminated on your dash board instrument cluster, you have approximately 3,000 miles left on your front pads and Audi brake rotors. It's usually less than 3,000 miles if you're hard on the brakes, which most of us are. When you see this light go on Audi brake replacement service is in the near future.

The rear Audi brake pads don't include wear sensors and thus, won't cause the Audi brake pad warning light to come on. The main indication of worn rear Audi brake rotors is a grinding metal-on-metal sound coming from the rear of the car every time you depress the brake pedal. When the Audi brake pad material has been fully exhausted, contact with the Audi brake rotor will cause this type of grinding sound. You should seek an Audi brake replacement service immediately when you hear this grinding noise.

The above symptoms usually occur when there is around 40,000 to 80,000 miles on your brake pads and rotors. Another symptom that Audi brake rotors need replacing is vibration felt through the brake pedal or steering wheel while pressing on the brake pedal. This is an indication that the Audi brake rotors are warped and have worn thin, due to age or overheating caused by some other brake component failure.

How To Prevent Audi Brake Replacement Problems

New Audi brake rotors shouldn't be used with old brake pads (visa versa). Why? The surface area of a new Audi brake rotor must come in contact with a flat/smooth brake pad, free from imperfections. The face of old brake pads are imperfect having a glazed and scored surface instead of a flat/smooth surface. Using old brake pads with imperfections will not allow the new Audi brake rotors to bed in properly. This will result in weak braking performance and Audi brake pad squealing. Therefore, always install new brake pads when installing new Audi brake rotors. That is why Blauparts offers Audi brake rotors and pads in one convenient kit to ensure successful brake replacement.

It is important to know that new brake pads along with Audi brake rotors should be bedded in carefully. When new brakes are installed, you need to go easy for the first 150-200 miles. Some customers were perplexed after installing a new set of Audi brake rotors and brake pads because they were experiencing squealing. They have commented that their brake pedal "just doesn't feel quite right." What's causing this?

Typically, all replacement brake rotors after being manufactured are stored and shipped with an oil or cosmoline applied to the brake rotor face. This is done to prevent rust during storage and transport. Often, when it comes time to install the Audi brake rotor, the rushed mechanic doesn't take the time to remove this residue believing it will "burn off" right after you apply the brake pedal a few times. It is important to understand that if oily residue is left on the brake rotor face you will potentially ruin your new brake rotors and pads. Why? Because the oil residue will embed itself on the new brake pads and become "glazed." This causes them to "slip" instead of "bite" into the new brake rotor face. The glazed brake rotor or brake pads generate more heat when slipping and do not allow for the proper brake rotor and brake pad break-in conditions to take place. This condition will cause the brakes to feel weak when you push on the pedal.

Tips on how to ensure correct Audi brake replacement.

Are you experiencing pulsing through the brake petal when applying the brakes? Or a shuddering vibration through the car when braking? Brake replacement is often conveyed as a simple service. Some chain "we-fix-everything-for-less" repair shops focus on turn around – rather than the quality of a brake job. Just slap on a new pair of rotors and pads? Not necessarily. Assuming that it's as simple as warped rotors could end up costing you more money in the long run. Why?

INSPECTION Road conditions, age, and resulting rust and pitting affect a lot more than just the rotors and pads. Brake rotors and pads are just two parts of a comprehensive braking system. The braking system's main components include: Brake rotors, brake pads, brake hoses, calipers, caliper carrier brackets, caliper guide pins and boots, brake pad retaining clips, hoses, wheel hubs, brake fluid, brake master cylinder, etc. Spending the extra time and money to properly inspect and diagnose the root cause of brake problems before diving into repair is imperative. Some owners just throw a new pair of rotors and pads on, only to have their symptoms return shortly thereafter. Make sure you choose a reputable ASE certified mechanic that is familiar with your particular Audi or VW model.

Before investing in brake repair be sure to properly inspect all brake components, in particular the following:

Caliper piston, which is located under the caliper piston boot. Look for any pitting or rust. If you note any pitting or rust behind the boot, the caliper should be rebuilt or replaced.

Check the brake hoses for any signs of age or splitting.

Confirm the integrity of your brake fluid, it's color and age.

Confirm brake master cylinder functions. Example: Use an infrared heat gauge to look at the temperature of each rotor after a test drive. A temperature difference often points to an underlying issue on a particular side that may require a more detailed inspection.

SURFACE PREPARATION Common premature brake issues after brake rotor and pad replacement are usually caused because one of the following areas were not properly cleaned. Be sure that they are free of all debris, rust, grooves, pitting, sharp edges, and are just like new:

Wheel hub [IMAGE 1]. If the rusting and pitting is horrible the hub should be replaced. If it isn't replaced, the new brake rotors won't ride 100% true. Use a brake hub and rotor True Gauge Tool to confirm correct brake rotor alignment.

Brake pad to caliper mating surfaces, the caliper piston, and outside of caliper [IMAGE 2, IMAGE 3]. This allows the new pad to ride true to the caliper piston.

PICTURED EXAMPLE: 1 previous owner 1997 Audi A4 with approximately 100,000 miles on it. Service records indicated this was the 2nd brake service performed since date of sale. Note the debris, rust, grooves, pitting, sharp edges. It's important to take the time to properly clean all contact areas and make them just like new.

IMAGE 1

Audi wheel hub [IMAGE 1]. If the rusting and pitting is horrible the hub should be replaced. If it isn't replaced, the new Audi brake rotors won't ride 100% true. Use a brake hub and rotor True Gauge Tool to confirm correct Audi brake rotor alignment.

IMAGE 2

Audi brake pad to caliper mating surfaces, the caliper piston, and outside of caliper [IMAGE 2, IMAGE 3]. This allows the new pad to ride true to the Audi caliper piston.

Performance Blau U-Slot slotted Audi brake rotors are superior in design compared to cross drilled or slotted brake rotors. During demanding conditions, Audi brake rotors can reach temperatures of 800° C or more. The result is gas emissions developing on the brake pad, primarily because of the bonding material. There is then a decrease in the coefficient of friction with the result known as brake fading. Uniform and continuous dissipation of these gas emissions (between the rotor and pads) helps prevent brake fading. Less brake fade means a decrease in the force required to depress the brake pedal, a plus in safety!

Some standard slotted and cross drilled Audi brake rotor designs don't allow for the even and continuous dissipation of these gas emissions. When the brake pad surface compresses onto a brake rotor face having varying slots or holes, gas emissions are vented inconsistently. Irregular gas dissipation increases brake friction and adversely affects braking efficiency. Another area where standard slotted or cross drilled Audi brake rotors lose the battle against Blau U-Slot slotted design is in long term braking performance. Over time, this inconsistent gas dissipation (caused when the brake pad surface compresses onto a brake rotor face having varying slots or holes) can cause the brake pads to glaze and eventually create scoring lines in the face of the brake rotor. These score lines create an uneven surface and imperfections that weaken the brake pad's ability to clamp the brake rotor during brake pedal depression, greatly reducing the dispersal of the gas emissions leading to brake fade.

The unique design allows for continual brake pad surface renewal, resulting in minimal glazing. Long term, the performance of Blau U-Slot slotted rotors create less scoring lines and a smoother surface across the face of the Audi brake rotors increasing the brake pads ability to clamp the brake disc effectively. The performance of Blau U-Slot slotted Audi brake rotors and their ability to disperse the gases in between the brake pads and the rotor face leads to less brake fade, even in the most demanding braking conditions. The anti-rust coating increases the life and look of your brake system (depending on application). Blau U-Slot brake rotors give you the biggest bang for the buck!

Blauparts Audi brake rotors are available for nearly every 1996-2015 Audi model. Take advantage of our cost effective Audi brake rotor kit prices. The highest quality Audi brake rotors from the nation's leading independent Audi parts specialist. Audi brake rotors and pads start as low as $59.95! In some cases you'll save up to 80% over retail prices by replacing your Audi brake rotors from Blauparts.

(High Carbon Chromium) Audi Brake Rotors

• High Performance brake rotors made of a higher carbon cast iron alloy with chromium (Cr). Made in Brazil by our partner who is a leading certified Official O.E. brake rotor manufacturer that directly supplies Mitsubishi. They're also a direct supplier of rotors to the Touring Car championship and Porsche Cup Championship race teams.

• Track tested and great for the street! We performed field testing at the Road America race track to test and verify their stopping performance.

• We race track tested our HCC rotors and compared them to standard race brake rotors. Reduction in rotor temperature at key track braking points allowed for an average drop from 360° to 200° C! This improvement in heat dissipation and braking efficiency improved driver confidence, allowing for later braking points which resulted in average gains of 3 seconds per lap! HCC Series brake rotors can withstand extreme braking conditions, guaranteeing an extended rotor life, preventing premature rotor warping.

Cheap, aftermarket brake rotors have saturated the market today. Even well known European brand names have compromised on the quality of the brake rotor material. "We Care" about our customers and understand that the key to providing them with the very best Audi brake rotors lies in what the brake rotors are made out of,the alloy material itself.

Blau HCC Series U-Slot Audi brake rotors are now made of a higher carbon cast iron alloy with chromium (Cr) material. This material improvement was used on brake rotors fitted on touring race cars. Rotors made out of higher carbon cast iron alloy with chromium (Cr) material were tested and compared to standard race brake rotors. A reduction in brake rotor temperature at the braking points on the track allowed for an average drop from 360° to 200° C! This improvement in heat dissipation and braking efficiency improved driver confidence, allowing for later braking points which resulted in average gains of 3 seconds per lap!

Blau HCC Series U-Slot Audi brake rotors can now withstand extreme braking conditions because of this high quality material. This improvement, combined with Blauparts' unique U-Slot machining design, guarantees brake rotors that run much cooler in extreme conditions. These improvements will extend brake rotor life, preventing premature Audi brake rotor warping for those who are used to heavy braking conditions and for those who have aggressive driving habits.

Why Choose BLAU®?

Blauparts goal is to provide the highest quality Audi brake rotors and pads. We want our customers to be completely satisfied. If you're looking for the highest quality performance slotted Audi brake rotors and brake pads at a great low price, look no further. We're so confident our customers will be completely satisfied with our new BLAU® SS and HCC Series Audi Brake Kits that we're offering a 30-day money back guarantee. We wish to thank all of our loyal customers for their continued support for over 27 years.

What makes us different than the other guys? Blauparts own service facility has successfully performed Audi brake pad repair since 1989. In our own independent Audi VW repair service facility we can't afford to cut corners when replacing Audi brake pads. You don't want your Audi brake pads to cause you problems because of poor quality. We've critically evaluated numerous brands of Audi brake pads, varying in price and quality, with many disappointing results. You don't have to experiment to find the best setup. We feel that we have the best value for the demanding Audi owner. Our performance street low dust Audi brake pads are European OEM manufactured and are well suited for everyday driving or performance street applications.

Audi Brake Rotor Tech Tip

When shopping for replacement brake rotors many newer Audi owners often become confused. What do I have? 288mm OD or 312mm OD rotors? What is my brake code and how can I find it? Blauparts' helpful Audi Brake System Set-up page provides some suggestions and a few pictures that may help you determine brake system, as well as, illustrating how to measure your Audi brake rotors.